Ron DeSantis is a prominent conservative Republican politician who has served as the 46th Governor of Florida since January 8, 2019. Born on September 14, 1978, in Jacksonville, Florida, DeSantis grew up in Dunedin with blue-collar roots. He attended Yale University, where he graduated with honors and captained the varsity baseball team. He later earned his law degree from Harvard Law School, earning a commission in the U.S. Navy as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer during his time there[1][2][3]. DeSantis's military career included deployments to Iraq, where he supported SEAL missions in Fallujah and Ramadi, earning the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service[1][2]. After his military service, he worked as a federal prosecutor, focusing on child predator cases. DeSantis was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012, representing Florida's Sixth District until 2018. He gained recognition for his fiscal conservatism and alignment with the Tea Party movement[2][3]. As Governor of Florida, DeSantis has been at the forefront of several contentious issues, including COVID-19 policies, education reform, and voter fraud concerns. Notably, he lifted pandemic restrictions early, while implementing measures to protect vulnerable populations[3]. His administration has also focused on expanding school choice, promoting public safety, and investing in environmental conservation[4]. In 2023, DeSantis announced his candidacy for the 2024 U.S. presidential election but suspended his campaign in January 2024, endorsing Donald Trump[2]. His tenure as governor continues to shape Florida's political landscape and influence national discussions on conservative policies. DeSantis is married to Casey DeSantis, and they have three children together[1][4].